'Reimagine the Canals' campaign seeks community input at SUNY Poly

A community engagement meeting was held Tuesday evening for people to learn about and give input on the ‘Reimagine the Canals’ initiative.

Posted: Jul 30, 2019 5:44 PM

Updated: Jul 31, 2019 6:24 PM

Posted By: Caitlin Irla

UTICA, N.Y. - A community engagement meeting was held Tuesday evening for people to learn about and give input on the ‘Reimagine the Canals’ initiative.

This is an initiative to examine how the 195-year-old Erie Canal can be reimagined for the 21stcentury. It is a state-sponsored campaign launched in May by Governor Cuomo meant to identify new uses for the Erie Canal in order to boost economic development, recreation, and environmental resiliency.

The initiative builds on last years reimagine the canals competition.

Michael Arcuri, a representative with the Reimagine the Canals Task Force says these meetings are an opportunity for the public to help shape the future of the canal and the public's input will help formulate the final recommendations for the canal that will be sent to Governor Cuomo.

“Some of the best ideas came from people who run little mom and pop business along the canal. The things that they thought were important and would be helpful not only to the canal but to their community and business. I think the fact that you bring people together and you allow them to imagine, or reimagine, is a real positive thing and something that can be an impetus for economic development for the region and for the state.”

The Reimagine the Canal Initiative was launched by Governor Cuomo in May.